Inquire

International inheritances

A question ? Need help ?

When my father died, my mother-in-law received the usufruct of the entire estate, which consisted mainly of liquid assets. Today, she has just died, and the liquid assets have disappeared. What can I do to recover these sums?

When the spouse receives the usufruct of liquid assets, we speak of quasi-usufruct, i.e., a usufruct (right of use and enjoyment) of a thing that is consumed when used (money). In practical terms, the spouse has the right to spend the money, but is obliged to return it on his…
See more
I am a Swiss tax resident. My mother, who passed away this year, lived in France in a house she owned and did not make a will. Can I appoint a notary in Switzerland?

Yes, but… The law applicable to your mother’s estate is French law, since her tax residence was in France. You may choose any notary you wish, but only a French notary can file the deeds recording the transfer of ownership of your mother’s real estate with the Land Registry (Article…
See more
My widowed mother has passed away. To establish the certificate of notoriety (acte de notoriété), the notary is asking me to provide her family record book (livret de famille). I cannot find it. Can I obtain a copy?

No. In the event of loss, it is not possible to obtain a copy of the family record book. According to Article 15 of Decree No. 74-449 of 15 May 1974, only a second family record book may be issued, and only to spouses or parents who do not possess…
See more
My neighbour bequeathed several real estate properties to me in his will. I only wish to keep some of them. Is this possible?

Yes, provided that a legal heir (as defined by law) accepts the succession. In that case, you may exercise the right of cantonnement, which allows a legatee to limit their acceptance to part of the assets bequeathed. This is permitted under Article 1002-1 of the French Civil Code.
See more